Reel for aircraft antennas and the like



w. K. CLEMi-:Nrs

REEL FOR A IRCRAFT ANTENNAS AND THE LIKE Original Filed May 14. 193'?V March l2, 1940 IVN/erwten. Wil Ham K'Clemerwts,

Fmmvnsigw, v l i JW i-l Attorney Patented 12, `1940 l UNIT-ED f..srAres PATENT OFFICE REEL Foa AIRoRAFrKANTENNAs AND THE l 4 L E William K. Clements, Brunswick, N.Y.,.jassivgnor to General Electric Company, a corporation oi.'r

New York `Application May 14:,y 1937, Serial No. 142,637 lRenewedYSeptember 20, 1939 f 6. claiihs. (Cl. 24a-99) may be reeled in, and by movement of thefsame actuating element in the opposite direction through'arelatively few degrees of rotation, the

in antenna may be unreeled and the unreeling Voperation may be controlled by means of Ya braking mechanism'.l n g g f y It has been proposed heretofore, for the purpose of unwinding andsuspending an aircraft;l il antenna wire from'the craft after it leavesthe ground and of thereafter returning the antenna to the craft before it descends, Ito provide yan antenna reelwhich isturned in both the reeling or winding and the unreeling or unwin'ding'din rection by a handle inA the manner of va `conventionalwindlass. i

It has also been'proposed, in order-'to expedite the unwinding'" of the antenna a's-'ithe craft ascends, -to provide 'the antenna ree1,"havi`- 25 ing a handle for the winding yin of the.k antenna,

with a separate brake, clutch, or latch *mechanism whereby the antenna could befun'wound y rapidly from ther reel by its own weight, assisted by the usual weight .fastened atthe end'thereof,

y 30 without the necessity of the relatively slow man ual yunwindng by .means of `theV handle. The addition `of the brake, clutch,v.or latchfmec'hainism .to the simple handle-'operatedireel has, however, been open to theobjectiony that the 35 operator was requiredlto. employ both hands toy control the vreel device." y

To overcome the' aboveobjec'tion t'o the last-1v named `antennareel devices, it has'furtherbeen suggested heretofore to provide an aircraft an-` 40 tennareel device characterizedby having onlya single handle or other 'actuating element 'forreeling inthe antenna and for-controlling .theunreeling operation. Difficulties have been encountered, however, ink theJattempt'to provide reeling 45 devices lofy this -latter ltypegby reason of the spa-ce and rweight'limitations and the severe constructional and operational requirements imposed upon reel devices of this'characterffor use'in aircraft and particularlylfin airplanes. 50 It is the general 4object of my presentrinvention to provide an antenna reel-'for aircraftfuse, and particularly for airplane use, which-over'-l comesthe above and other diiculties encountered in prior antenna reel, devices.

' 5u -A particular object is to provide an improved;

antennareel of ythe type wherein single handle or` other single actuating vrmeans isutilized yboth for thewinding in ofthe antenna'a'ndvfor the control of the unreeling thereof.

In accordance with `myinvention, 'the abovevti mentioned and other difficulties areV avoided and the above and other objects areattainedl by the provision of a compact'antenna reeling 'device which is at the same time of simple and rugged construction, incorporating a clutch and brake mechanism` of the multiple disk type.

The novel 4features which I believe to be characteristic ofmyl invention are set forthv with particularity in` the appended claims. My invention itself, howevenboth as to its organiza-l 4 tion and operation together withlfurther objects and advantages, thereof may `best be` understood by reference to' the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing,-Fig.l1,is a side-eley vational view,y partially in section, of an antenna reel device in accordance with myinventionrFig. 2 is 'a front elevational view of the device illus- .trated in Fig.. 1,;l Fig. 3 is an enlarged 'crosssectional view, partially broken away, on line of a portion of the device illustratedin Figs. l and'2, the view in Fig.V 4 being partially in section on line'B--B of Fig. 3 and also-showing the multiple disk brake or clutch elements in the antenna winding-incr reeling position; Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 but shows the brake elements in theantenna unwinding or'unreeling position; andFigs. `6, '7 rand 8 are sectional views illustrating thev construction of a'folding handle for 35 manually operating'the reel device. y

Inv Fig. 1, the numeral I indicates a base memberl whichv may bevfastened in any suitable manner in an aircraft, for example'at a point in an f airplane adjacent the pilots'position. A shaft 40 2 is fastened to base I anda brake support member'or sleeve 3 is rotatably mounted on shaft 2.

A means is provided, preferably comprising ratchet teeth 4 formed on the end of brake sleeve 3 and a plurality of pawls,fas pawl 5, pivoted on 'v v `membersurrounding brake sleeve 3 and mounted to berotated withreference to this sleeve during they unwinding or unreeling operation, and

. to be locked to the sleeve during the' winding operation. To :cause the hub member 'l to be rotated with-'sleeve 3 for reeling in the antenna, f

and'to lcause. the'` hubmember to' free-Wheel or l55: n

run free of sleeve 3 for unreeling or unwinding the antenna, a brake screw member 8 is provided at the other end of the hub member. To rotate the brake screw 8 a suitable actuating means is provided, such as a crank 9 to which is attached a handle I0 preferably foldable on a joint member II when not in use. The numeral I2 indicates an antenna spool of insulating material which is fastened to a flange I3 on the rcel hub member I and which almost entirely surrounds the hub member and the mechanism enclosed thereby. A spool cover member I4 of insulating material is preferably provided which may have a plate portion I5 loosely abutting base I to permit the cover to adjust itself circumierentially to dilferent positions of the antenna wire as it enters the spool I2. Preferably revolution counter means is provided comprising a worm gear I6 which may be integral with the end of hub I and a driven gear I'I mounted on a shaft I8 which drives a counter dial device I9 (shown in Fig. 2).

Referring now to Fig. 4 takenin connection with Fig. 3, at a portion of brake sleeve 3 toward or adjacent to that end of shaft 2 which is secured in base I, a plurality or set of brake disks 23 are loosely keyed to the sleeve, to be rotated theref with but to be free to slide axially thereof, by providing, for example, as better shown in Fig. 3, ats 2I on the sleeve throughout this portion thereof and by punchingv corresponding ats 22 on the disks. At the portion of hub member I surrounding the above-mentioned portion of brake sleeve 3, a second plurality or set of brake disks 23 are provided interleaved with the rst set and loosely keyed to the hub member for rotation of the hub member with the latter disks while permitting the disks to slide freely axially of the member, as by providing, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, notches or recesses 24 in the hub member and by punching corresponding lugs 25 on the disks. y

The brake screw 8 has a flange portion 26, and a ring or sleeve portion 21 rotatably mounted on brake sleeve 3 adjacent to the outer end of this sleeve. A retaining nut 28 is screwed to the outer end of brake sleeve 3, and an antifriction bearing 29 is preferably provided between the retaining nut and the brake screw 3. The hub member 'I is rotatably mounted with referenceto the brake sleeve 3 by means, preferably, of antilriction bearings 30 and 3I at the opposite ends of the hub member and running on bearing races provided, respectively, on the flange portion 26 oi the brake screw 8 and on that end of the bearing sleeve 3 which is adjacent to the base plate I.

To enable the operator, as desired, either to cause pressure to be applied to thesets ofl disks 23 and 23 or to release the pressure on the disks partially or completely, steep pitched screw threads 32 are formed on the sleeve portion '2 of brake screw 8 and corresponding screw threads 33, cooperating with threads 32, are formed at one end of a brake nut member or sleeve 3.4 which is splined at its other end to the brake sleeve 3; a relatively heavy helical compression spring '35 is mounted between a flange 36 of brake nut 34 and a thrust member or washer3'I between which and brake screw 8 is interposed a preferably `antifriction bearing 38; a spacer member or ring 3S is preferably provided, splned to the brake sleeve 3, between the sets of brake disks 20 and 23 and the end of brake nut 34 opposite the threaded end thereof; and a second or auxiliary helical compression spring 40, lighterthan or under less compression than spring 35, is mounted between brake nut 34 and spacer ring 39. In order to make the device still more compact the smaller spring 40 is telescoped within the larger spring 35, thus being located in the space between the latter spring and brake sleeve 3, for example preierably in a recess 4I formed in the end oi brake nut 34.

In Fig. 5 the various elements are the same in construction as in Fig. 4, but in Fig. 5 the brake and brake control elements of the reel device are shown in position to permit the spool hub member 'I to rotate freely for the paying out or unreeling of the antenna, whereas in Fig. Il the brake and brake control elements are shown for the locked or the braking condition of spool hub member I.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 8, and more particularly to Fig. 6, the assembly of the foldable handle I3 and crank 9 comprises a handle outer shell 42 and an inner sleeve 43 inserted therein internally threaded at its outer extremity to receive a bushing 44, having a head portion 45, through which .bushing passes a plunger .rod 46 having a pushbutton 4'I on its outer extremity and a plunger thereto by a screw 52. A handle lock member or plunger 53 is mounted within a recess 54 formed within the cylindrical portion 56 at right angles to the axis thereof, the recess being open at one end and closed at the other, and so spaced from the end of the crank that as the handle I3 is swung about the crank end 5D the recess may come into alignment with the opening 55 through handle sleeve 43. In order to cause locking oi the handle I0 in operating position, a spring 5G is so mounted in the recess 54 as to bias the lock or plunger 53 in the direction of the open end of the recess.

In operation of the antenna reel device in accordance-with my invention, when the manual or other actuating means, in the present instance handle IU, is in normal or released condition, the brake and control elements assume the positions illustrated in Fig.v4, wherein the pressure of the heavy or main spring 35, exerted at the left-hand end `thereof against retaining nut 28 of brake sleeve 3 through thrust ring 3'I, bearing 38, brake screw 8 and bearing 29, and at the right-hand end against the brake disks 2U and 23 through brake nut 34 and spacer ring 39, causes the set of disks 23 to be locked to the set of disks 2U thereby locking the antenna spool hub member I to the brake sleeve 3. In this position of the reel elements the antenna wire cannot run out since rotation of brake sleeve 3 in the unreeling direction, which is counter-clockwise looking from the crank end of the device, is prevented by the pawl and ratchet means 4 and 5. However, the spool hub member 1, thus locked to brake sleeve 3, may be rotated in the clockwise or antenna winding-in or reeling direction by clockwise rotation of the crank 3, operating through brake screw 8, the screw connection of the brake screw 8 to brake nut 34, and the splined connection of brake nut 34 to brake sleeve 3, it being understood that the brake screw 8 and brake nut 34 are so threaded, having left- Y yactuating means, crank 9.

hand threads in the present instance, thatclockwise rotation of the crank 9 for reeling in theanber disks 23.

When it is desired to pay out the antenna, the brake' screw Sis rotated counter-clockwise by'A its The brake nut 34 tendstobe rotated with brake screw 8 but cannot do so because of its splined connection with brake sleeve 3, which itself is preventedfrom rotating counter-clockwise by the ratchet and pawls 4 and l5. Brake nut 34 is therefore moved to the left and compresses'the main spring 35,' 4as illus trated for example in Fig. 5, by reason of the screw connection, 32 and 33,. ofthe brake nut 34 with the brake screw 3.' .The locking pressure on disks 23 and Z3 is thus reducedthe reel being per? mitted to rotate under iniiuence of the Weight of the antenna and beingbraked by pressure applied between disks 23 and 2.0 by reason of spring 40. Upon further rotation of the handle the brake nut 34 is moved further to the left thus reducing the pressure exerted by spring43 and therefore the braking effort, until finally the pressure is completely removed and the reel free wheels rapidly to pay out the antenna.I

If the antenna pays out too rapidly the operator merely reduces some of'` the pressure applied to the handle, thus again causing thel tension of spring 4l] and nallyof spring 35 to be applied to the brake disks. Thus, by proper regulation of the pressure applied to the handle in the paying out direction the rate of paying out may beregue lated nicely by the operator.

If pressure on the handle be completely released, the brake disks stop the rotation of the reel. Rotating the handle in the opposite direction now causes the antenna to be reeled in.

Upon initial rotation of the handle in the op'- posite direction, the brake nut 34 approaches the spacer ring 39, but the auxiliary compression spring 40, which in its^ extended condition as lshown in Fig.` 5 projects beyond the right-hand end of brake nut 34, comes into engagement' with the spacer ring 33 in advance of the brakenut 34, therebycausing an initially relatively light but progressively greater pressure from spring 4l) to be eXertedon disksll and 23,\iollowed by the full pressure of main spring 35 as brake nut 34 finally makes engagement with spacer ring 39.

During the rotation of brake screw 8 with respect to brake nut 34, for the purpose as above described of locking or of unlocking the clutch disks 2! and 23, the interposing oi the thrust means comprising thrust ring 3l and antifriction bearing 33, between the heavy main spring 35 and the brake screw 8, effectually prevents twisting or cramping of this heavy main spring which would otherwise occur with resulting interference with the desired eiective braking and holding power of the brake assembly. l

It will be understood that the pitch of the screw threads 3i. and 33 is such that when the handle l0 is released by the operator after rotation of the crank 9 in the counter-clockwise direction to permit free wheeling of the spool hub member ,'I, the

handle is` immediately returned to its normal noneither direction, of two sets of interleaved disks operating fixed position by the pressure of spring 35. eration of the brake means by counter-clockwise rotation of the handle is assured.

This pitch is, however, such that easy opf ywith the opening 55 of the hanne in une with the e 'recess' 54 of cylindrical portionv 5U p of crank 9, and with the handle lock or plunger 53 projecting within the opening 55. When it is desired to fold `the handleback'toward the reel assembly either to the right or left, the pushbutton '41 is pressed, thereby causing the plunger 48, fixed toplunger rod 46, to drive handle lock or plunger 53 entirely within 4itsrecess 54 against the pressure of spring y53,'the sleeve or ring 4B'cf the handle holding .the plunger 53 in its closed position, il-v lustrated in Fig. 8, as the handle is then folded back. A simple and dependable handle lock arrangement is thus provided having no external springsor other operating parts, the required' extra parts all lbeing contained compactly Within Athel handle and crank assembly. v f From theioregoing description of the operation of an antenna reelr in accordance with my present invention, it will be readily seen' that through the` interaction oi the brake sleeve 3, the ratchet and pawls 4.and5', the brake screwmembers B and 34, the main spring 35, thek thrust ring 3l and its bearing 33, thev auxiliary spring 43, the spacer ring 39, the multiple disk brake elements 20 and 23, andthe spool hub member l, 4a compact, rugged land finely controlled holding, braking, and releasing'action is assured .forthe antenna spool l2, with automatic compensation for wear, and without roughness of movement 'or the danger of sudden `stoppage of the spool hub member, tending ,to break the antenna wire, when the wire is run out to vits desired llength as Aindicated by the I counter t9.

The antenna reel in accordance with-the inven- 'tion has been described herein as manually operatedv and in connection with airplane antennas. The device is, however, adaptable to motor drive, as byremote control, and further, is capable of other than antenna uses.

vMy invention has been described herein in a particular embodiment for purposes of illustravtion.` It is to be understood, however, that the inand a reel hub` member mounted for rotation in either'direction, of two sets of interleaved disks keyed respectively to said brake support member and said hub member, a brake screw member rotatably mounted with respect to said brake support member, afbrake nut member threaded to said brake screw member, a resilient means,

.and means including said resilient means and brake support member, means to prevent rotation ofsaid member except in the reeling direction, and a reel hub member mountedr for rotation in secured respectively for rotation with said brake support member and said hub member, `a brake screw member rotatably mounted on said brake support member, a brake nut member threaded to said brake screw member, resilient means interposed between said brake screw member and said brake nut member for pressing said sets of disks together to cause said hub member to rotate with said brake support member when said brake screw member is rotated in the reeling direction, and a second resilient means interposed between said brake nut member and said disks to oppose partially the pressure of said rlrst resilient means.

3. In a reel, the combination with a rotatable brake support member, means to prevent rotation of said member except in the reeling direction, i a reel hub member mounted for rotation in either direction, of two sets of interleaved disks secured respectively to said brake support member and said hub member, a brake screw member rotatably mounted on said brake support member and having a flange portion, a brake nut member' threaded to said brake screw member, a thrust member, bearing means between said thrust mem ber and said portion of said brake screw member. and a. spring interposed between said thrust member and said brake nut member for pressing said sets f disks together to cause said hub member to rotate with said brake support member when said brake screw member is rotated in the reeling direction.

4. In a reel, in combination, a supporting shaft, a rotatable brake sleeve mounted thereon, means at one end of said sleeve for preventing rotation thereof except in the reeling direction, a brake screw rotatably mounted on said sleeve adjacent to the other end thereof and having a ange portion, means operatively associated with said brake screw to move said screw in either direction of rotation, a hub member rotatably mounted between said one end of said sleeve and said anged portion of said brake screw, a spool mounted on and surrounding said hub member, a brake nut threaded on said brake screw, two sets of interleaved disks keyed respectively to said sleeve and said hub member and mounted within the portion of' said hub member adjacent to said one end of said sleeve, and spring means enclosed by said hub member in the portion thereof between said rst-named portion and the other end of said sleeve for pressing said disks together when said brake screw is rotated in the reeling direction.

5. In a reel, in combination, a rotatable brake support member, means to prevent rotation of said member except in the reeling direction, a plurality of brake disks mounted on said member to rotate therewith and to slide axially thereof, a brake screw rotatably mounted on said member and having a flange portion, a hub member rotatably mounted between said brake support member and said brake screw i'iange portion, a plurality of brake disks interleaved with said firstnamed disks and mounted on said hub member to rotate therewith and to slide axially thereof, a brake nut threaded on said brake lscrew and mounted on said brake support member to rotate therewith and to slide axially thereof, a spacer member mounted on said brake support member between said brake nut and said disks to rotate with said brake support member and to slide axially thereof, a thrust member, bearing means between said thrust member and said brake screw, a spring mounted between said thrust member and said brake nut to cause said brake nut to press said first-named and second-named disks together through said spacer member when said brake screw is released, and a spring exerting less pressure than said first-named sp ing mounted between said brake nut and said spacer member.

6. The combination in a reel device having a spool member, an actuating element adapted when rotated in one direction to cause reeling operation of said spool member and in the other direction to cause unreeling operation of said spool member, and a clutch means interposed between said actuating element and said spool member, of a main spring, an auxiliary spring, and means operatively associated with said actuating element to cause when said actuating element is rotated in said one direction said main spring to exert locking pressure in said clutch means and to cause when said actuating element is rotated in said one direction said auxiliary spring to exert a preliminary locking pressure in sait clutch means in advance of said locking pressure exerted by said main spring.

WILLIAM K. CLEMENTE. 

